attachable holder for items

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is an item holder assembly that includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the assembly to an object such as a laptop computer, an item holder such as a beverage holder, and al flexible extension member connecting the attachment mechanism to the item holder.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11622944 entitled ATTACHABLE HOLDER FOR ITEMS filed Jan. 12, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to attachable holders for items, and illustratively to an apparatus for holding a beverage container (such as a wine glass or soda can) or other items while a person works on a laptop.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with a first preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachable holder assembly that includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the assembly to an object, an item holder, and an extension member connecting the attachment mechanism to the holder. In a preferred embodiment the items holder is a beverage container holder, the extension member is flexible and bendable, and the attachment mechanism comprises a clip. In another preferred embodiment, the assembly is provided in combination with a laptop computer.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device support assembly for connecting a device to a structure with a port. The assembly can include a first connector on the structure; an extension member; a second connector on the extension member which is compatible with the first connector; and a device, connectable to the extension member opposite the second connector, for use by the user of the structure. Preferably the first connector is a female port on the base of a laptop computer and the second connector is a male plug compatible with the female port. Preferably still, the extension member is a flexible and bendable or collapsible conduit which is sufficiently strong and rigid to support the device and which is bendable or collapsible so that the device can be placed by the user where desired spatially from the laptop computer base. In addition, the device support assembly can include a plurality of extension members, each having an end connected to the second connector, and each having a different device attached thereto. Alternatively, the device support assembly can include a plurality of extension members with each having a connector attached to the same or a different port on the structure, and wherein the device is connected to at least two of the plurality of extension members. This is especially helpful where the device is heavy and needs more than one extension connection to the computer structure to support it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a beverage container holder assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the beverage container holder assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a general drawing of a standard prior art laptop computer with female side ports (rear ports not shown).

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the present invention with a male plug at one end of the extension member and a general “box” representing item holders and useable devices.

FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of the present invention showing two extension members extending from a single computer port.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention showing two extension members supporting a single item holder or device.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings, for purposes of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention is a beverage container holder assembly 10.

For exemplary purposes only, described hereinbelow is a preferred embodiment wherein the beverage container holder assembly is used with a laptop computer 100. For example, this embodiment would be useful for someone who likes to drink a glass of wine while operating the computer but does not have a convenient place to rest the glass of wine when operating the computer. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. It will be understood that the beverage container holder assembly can be used on other items.

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “rear,” “bottom,” “side,” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the beverage container holder assembly, and the components thereof described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the invention is preferably embodied in a beverage container holder assembly 10. The type of beverage container 102 is not a limitation on the present invention. For example, the container 102 can be a cup, can, bottle, etc.

Beverage container holder assembly 10 generally includes an attachment mechanism 12, a beverage container holder 14 and an extension member 16 extending therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment member 12 is a clip. However, the attachment member 12 can also be a clamp or use other attachment means, such as screws, nuts, bolts, magnetics, etc. Any item that attaches the remaining components of the beverage container holder assembly 10 to a laptop or the like is within the scope of the present invention, provided it is adequate to maintain the attachment while supporting the weight of the holder and the item in the holder.

In an exemplary embodiment where the attachment mechanism 12 is a clip, the clip includes two opposing portions 18 a and 18 b that clamp onto the laptop 100. These two opposing portions 18 a and 18 b are normally biased in a closed position by a spring 20 or the like. When the distal ends of the clip are moved inwardly, the opposite ends spread apart, thereby allowing the clip to be affixed to the laptop 100.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the beverage container holder 14 can be any item for holding a beverage container. Many such items are known in the art. Generally, the beverage container holder includes an outer portion 15 that has a container receiving opening 22 defined therethrough. The outer portion 15 does not have to completely surround the opening 24, as long as a beverage container 102 can be supported therein.

In a preferred embodiment, the beverage container holder 14 includes an adjustable portion 15 a that allows different sized containers 102 to be secured therein. This adjustable portion 15 a can bus spring biased. Example of such holders include those that are used for supporting beverages in automobiles such as BMW automobiles.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the (extension member 16 is any component that extends between the attachment mechanism 12 and the beverage container holder 14, thereby allowing the beverage container holder 14 (and the container 102 therein) to extend away from the laptop 102 in a desired spatial relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the extension member 16 is a flexible rubber, plastic or metal (e.g., aluminum) cord, wire or tube or the like that allows the extension member 16 to be adjustable, thereby allowing the beverage container holder 14 to be positioned in a plurality of positions. The flexibility of the extension member can be achieved by a variety of structures known in the art and can be of desired lengths and thicknesses. Preferably, the assembly can be collapsed into a small structure for easy storage and transport and packaging, and it can also be held in a pouch. Preferably the length of the extension member can range from about 2 inches to 24 inches, more preferably 3 inches to 12 inches and even more preferably from 3 inches to 6 inches.

It will also be appreciated that in addition to a beverage container holder, the holder can include a container for holding items, such as, for example, pens, pencils, notepads, snack foods; other electronic devices such as iPods, radios, recorders, cameras, or it can be a tray for supporting any items of use to the user of the thing to which it is attached, such as a laptop. The holder can also be attached to the assembly in a manner whereby various different types of holders can be interchanged. Further, a customer could be provided with a kit containing the assembly with various holders, sizes of extension members and port connections.

The assembly can also be labeled with a variety of graphics including those of the laptop source or of the item source, so as to function for advertising. For example, the Coca-Cola Company could label the holders with the Coke® mark and thereby be used as a promotion.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the extension member can be either a flexible or flexible tube, cord, wire, a collapsible and/or foldable structure or the like, with one end having attached thereto a device to be used by the computer operator and the other end having a clip or other means for attaching the extension member to a computer or other structure such as a table. The device can be any type of device of use to the user of the computer or other structure, such as a pencil, scissors, beverage holder, portable fan, etc.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the attachment mechanism can be a male component that connects to a corresponding female component or port on the computer or other structure. The computer or other structure can include a female port for receiving the male component. The male and female component can be configured to reversibly lock. Alternatively, the extension member can include a male plug that reversibly is received by the existing ports on the structure, for example, the ports on a laptop computer. Thus the male plug can include the number of prongs that a standard electrical cord has when plugging into the dial-up, high speed internet or printer ports of a lap top. Alternatively, the male connector can be on the structure such as the base of a computer and the female connector can be on the extension member.

In yet still a further embodiment of the invention, the extension member can include an electrical conduit so that the device at the device or holder end of the extension member can be in electrical or data communication with the input port on the computer. In addition, several extension members can be connected to the same connection component that connects to the structure such as the computer such that a single connection to the computer can support a variety of devices.

In addition to the foregoing, the attachment holder assembly components (attachment mechanism, item holder and extension member) maybe a unitary structure that simply plugs into the structure (e.g., computer port) or each of the components can be reversibly connectable to each other to thereby facilitate a variety of assemblies with interchangeable parts. For example, the item holder can include a male or female port for reversibly connecting to one end of the attachment mechanism, and with the other end of the attachment mechanism similarly reversibly connectable to the structure port. Moreover, for some applications, for example where the item is to be closely spatially located to the computer, the extension member can be non-bendable and rigid.

The foregoing embodiments are merely examples of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make numerous uses of, and departures from, such embodiments without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to or defined by such embodiments in any way, but rather, is defined solely by the following claims. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A device support assembly for connecting a device to a laptop computer base with a female port, the assembly comprising: a. an extension member; b. a male connector on the extension member which is compatible with the female port wherein the male connector is not in electrical communication with the power source of the laptop computer; and c. a device, connected to the extension member opposite the male connector, for use by the user of the laptop computer, wherein the device is adapted to support a removable object.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. The device support assembly of claim 11 wherein the extension member is a flexible conduit which is sufficiently strong and rigid to support the device and the removable object and which is bendable so that the device can be placed by the user where desired spatially from the laptop computer base.
 15. The device support assembly of claim 11 wherein the device is a glass holder.
 16. The device support assembly of claim 11 wherein there are a plurality of extension members, each having an end connected to the male connector, and each having a different device attached thereto.
 17. The device support assembly of claim 11, wherein there are a plurality of extension members with each having a male connector attached to the same or a different female port on the structure, and wherein the device is connected to at least two of the plurality of extension members.
 18. A computer device support assembly comprising an item holder or support, and a male connector for securely connecting the item holder to a female port of the computer, wherein the male connector is not in electrical or data communication with the laptop computer.
 19. The computer device support of claim 18 wherein the computer device support is provided in kit form with at least two different types of item holder or supports.
 20. A method of supporting a beverage container, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a laptop computer, b. providing an assembly that includes a beverage container support connected to a male connector, c. inserting the male connector into a female port on the laptop computer, and d. placing the beverage container into the beverage container support.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the male connector is not in electrical communication with the power source of the laptop computer.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the male connector and beverage container support or positioned at opposite ends of an extension member.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein the assembly includes a second male connector, and two extension members each having opposite ends, wherein the first and second male connectors are each attached to an end of one of the extension members and the beverage container support is connected to the opposite ends o the extension members, and wherein the method includes the step of inserting the second male connector into a female port on the laptop computer.
 24. The assembly of 11 wherein the assembly is provided in kit form with at least two different types of devices.
 25. The computer device support of claim 19 wherein at least one of the different types of item holder or supports is a beverage container support. 